And Londoners reported their levels of health to be higher than almost any other region in England and Wales, with more than half (50.5%) assessing their health as “very good”, and a third (33.3%) as “good” .

This is thought to be due to higher numbers of younger people than in other areas, with other possible contributing factors including a “healthy worker effect” resulting from jobs being created by recent regeneration in the capital such as the construction of the Olympic Village.

Migrants from other parts of the UK and from abroad who are attracted to taking up these employment opportunities are also likely to be made up of a more trained workforce and a younger age profile.

The Census showed the South East of England had a similar profile to London and a "North/South" divide is clearly present, with health improving in line with a southerly and easterly direction of travel.

Wales and the North East of England had the least favourable general health. In the North East of England only 44% reporting “very good” health and 7.4% reporting their health as “bad” or “very bad”.

Here is a list of the 10 local authority areas in England and Wales where people reported the lowest levels of “good” health:

Blaenau Gwent – 72.6%

Merthyr Tydfil – 73%

Neath Port Talbot – 73.3%

East Lindsey (Lincolnshire) – 73.5%

Blackpool – 73.6%

Tendring (Essex) – 74.2%

Bolsover (Derbyshire) – 74.3%

Rhondda Cynon Taf – 74.5%

Caerphilly – 74.7%

Barnsley – 75.2%

...and here are the 10 local authority areas with the highest levels of “good” health:

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